Tasting Notes

FELTON ROAD — EPIC 'BLOCK 5' FLIGHT 2017-2019-2020-2021-2022-2023 6 PACK!

It is undeniable that Felton Road is one of the finest New World producers of pinot noir and a benchmark for those seeking the best that New Zealand wines have to offer. Founder Nigel Greening and winemaker Blair Walter have built the world famous wine brand around fastidious site selection and viticulture (Demeter and Biogro certified biodynamic) and a range of wines that are not only beautifully crafted and compete effortlessly on the world stage, but speak so clearly of the intricacies of their Central Otago vineyards. The emphasis is on transparency of site and minimal intervention – great farming, gravity flow winery, wild yeasts, wild malo and no fining or filtration. An inspiring producer of the highest calibre. - Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion.
 
Each pack includes the following 6 wines (750ml):
1 x 2023 Block 5 Pinot Noir (New!)
1 x 2022 Block 5 Pinot Noir (JH 97pts)
1 x 2021 Block 5 Pinot Noir (JS 97pts)
1 x 2020 Block 5 Pinot Noir (BC 97pts)
1 x 2019 Block 5 Pinot Noir (JS 98pts)
1 x 2017 Block 5 Pinot Noir (BC 100pts) 


2023 Block 5 Pinot Noir
[ New Release! ] A perfectly seamless and finely balanced nose, asserting Block 5’s hallmark elegance and refinement. The palate opens subtly, but expands generously in the manner of the great Pinot Noir descriptor of peacock’s tail. Encompassing, harmonious with not a single component jostling for recognition - it’s just mature 30-year-old vines doing their business. The precision of fruit and flavour, combined with silk laden tannins, bring it all to an immensely satisfying finish. -Winery Note

2022 Block 5 Pinot Noir
There is a fineness and sense of grace to the 2022 Block 5 release. It lacks the upfront allure of some of the other Felton Road pinots; it speaks more to fineness of detail and filigreed nuance than upfront gratification. It's in wonderful form with pristine red berry and raspberry fruits, the seasoning of spice and oak just so, top notes of wild flowers and cranberry, deeper tones of dried meats, bergamot and clove oil further in the distance. It travels sleek and precise across the palate with fine-grained tannin and vital minerality. It's an excellent, finely-honed release and just lovely drinking. -97pts, Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion

2021 Block 5 Pinot Noir
The brightness and clarity of fruit is something else with hibiscus, ripe strawberries, raspberries, and slate follow through to a full body, with a tight and structured intensity at the finish. Solid tannins give it a tightness at the end. Needs four or five years to open. -97pts, James Suckling

2020 Block 5 Pinot Noir
Intensely aromatic with a mix of plum, violet, cherry, dried herb, wet slate and mixed spice flavours. A complex, harmonious wine that gives equal prominence to all of its flavours without allowing one to dominate. Needs time to fully express its potential. Tasted September 2021. -97pts, Bob Campbell MW

2019 Block 5 Pinot Noir
Very fragrant nose here with deeply woven complexity. Earthy nuances, bracken, leaves and spiced red cherries abound with roses and violets, as well as blueberries. The palate has long tannins that extrude deep along a central spine. Lots of blueberry and red-cherry flavors. The contained, fleshy feel of the palate is really something and this always powerful wine is in such, supple and fluid form. Drink or hold. Tasted December 2020. -98pts, James Suckling

2017 Block 5 Pinot Noir
This is an extraordinary wine. It boasts great purity and power with layer upon layer of subtle flavours that include violets, red rose petal, dark cherry and mixed spices - a kaleidoscope of ever-changing characters most keenly displayed on the finish. It's delicate, fragrant and has enormous length. Wonderful now - I look forward to charting its progress with bottle age. -100pts, Bob Campbell MW

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